What examiners look for in Life Skills A1 and B1

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IELTS Life Skills is for people who need to prove their English listening and speaking skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Levels A1 or B1. They are accepted by the UK Visas and Migration Department for certain visa types.

IELTS Life Skills A1: Prove your English speaking and listening skills as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for 'family of a settled person' visas.

IELTS Life Skills B1: Prove your English speaking and listening skills as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for 'indefinite leave to remain or citizenship.

You will be tested for your ability to obtain and gather information, communicate and engage in discussion. The exam will be a conversation between two test takers between 16 and 22 minutes and the session is conducted by an IELTS Examiner. The second test taker’s performance won’t affect your test results.

The example of test topic:

family and friends
work
health
leisure activities
transportation
weather

The IELTS Life Skills results are a little different too. Instead of receiving a band score, you will either get a pass or fail result, where a pass result means you can use your test result for your visa application.

Candidates can take IELTS Life Skills at Bangkok test venue (CP Tower Silom, 4 Floor). The test is conducted on the first and the last Thursday of each month.

Ask IELTS

What is the 'pass mark' for the IELTS test?

In the IELTS Life Skills test, your results are given as a pass or fail mark.

There is no pass or fail in IELTS Academic or General Training test. Scores are graded on the 9-band system. Each educational institution or organisation sets its own level of IELTS scores to meet its individual requirements.

What does IELTS for UKVI, SELT and CEFR mean?

IELTS for UKVI, sometimes called SELT, is the same  as any other  IELTS  test, but with additional security  measures  required by the UK Government.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an international standard for describing language ability. It describes language ability on a  6-point scale, from A1 for beginners, up to C2 for those who have mastered a language.

If  you  wish to migrate, study or work in the UK, you may be required to take the IELTS for UKVI test. Use the  UK Government visa check list  to find out whether you need to take an approved test  and  what level you need to achieve. 

When will I receive my test results?

If you take IELTS on computer, your Test Report Form (TRF) will be posted 3 to 5 days after your test date. If you take IELTS on paper, your Test Report Form will be available 13 calendar days after your test date.

You will only receive one copy of your Test Report Form, unless you are applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), or United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) – in this case, you can receive two. Some test centres provide SMS alerts and you can preview your results online. Contact your local test centre to find out more.